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Recent archaeological findings at Qaranilaca cave, Vanuabalavu Island, Fiji

Thomas, Frank R. and Nunn, Patrick D. and Osborne, Tamara and Kumar, Roselyn R.D. and Areki, F. and Matararaba, S. and Steadman, D. and Hope, G.S. (2004) Recent archaeological findings at Qaranilaca cave, Vanuabalavu Island, Fiji. Archaeology in Oceania, 39 (1). pp. 42-49. ISSN 0003-8121

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Abstract

A large sea cave on the southeastern tip of Vanuabalavu Island, northeast Fiji was excavated and shown to have been used by humans from about 1100 cal BP with rapid accumulation of material. The cave may have been uninhabitable until sufficient sand had built up to make flooding by the sea a rare event, and a possible fall in sea-level could have contributed. With rapid cooling and sea-level fall after about 700 BP, more intensive use followed. The cave probably gained prominence in serving as a location where marine resources were cooked prior to being carried to nearby mountain-top settlements, established as a consequence of environmental change affecting coastal settlements. It fell into disuse with the re-establishment of coastal villages about 150 years ago.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
Divisions: Office of the PVC (R&I)
Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) > Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies
Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > Institute of Applied Science
Depositing User: Ms Neha Harakh
Date Deposited: 24 Apr 2004 07:37
Last Modified: 23 Jul 2012 01:50
URI: http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/3128
UNSPECIFIED

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